PP&R is Hosting its 8th Annual Yard Tree Giveaway
Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) Urban Forestry division is giving away 3,000 trees this fall for Portlanders to plant on their private property. This is a dramatic increase from the 2,000 trees distributed annually over the past two years, and is made possible by funding from the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF).
Over the course of the Yard Tree Giveaway program, Urban Forestry staff have distributed over 8,800 free yard trees to Portlanders. Registration and more information are available at Portland.gov/free-yard-trees or (503) 823-4963.
“Distributing free trees for planting on private property is an important and effective way to help grow Portland’s tree canopy,” says Portland City Forester Jenn Cairo. “We know that the tree cover in Portland has been in decline in recent years, and these tree giveaway events are a key part in reversing that trend and making our city more green.”
When registering, choose which pick-up event you will attend to receive your free tree. Along with trees, you’ll get watering buckets, mulch, and instructions for how to properly plant and care for your tree(s). 2024 Tree Pick-up Events run from 8:30am to 1pm.
While anyone living in Portland is eligible, Urban Forestry is specifically working to get more trees planted in the hottest areas of our city. Nearly all of these “heat islands” are located east of the Willamette River. The Yard Tree Giveaway prioritizes pick-up events in and near neighborhoods with the highest temperatures and fewest trees.
Free delivery is available to homes in the Parkrose, Parkrose Heights, Argay, Montavilla, Hazelwood, and Mill Park neighborhoods.
Planting assistance is also available for people who need an accommodation.
Trees help keep Portland green and healthy. They offer shade; lower temperatures in homes and neighborhoods; provide wildlife habitat, beauty, and cleaner air; and help mitigate the effects of climate change. Urban Forestry regularly plants new trees in areas of town where the canopy is not yet as robust as others. Still, the most recent PP&R study showed Portland’s tree coverage has declined in recent years.